A turkey bombe, turkey cracker, turkey “boulders” and a turkey meatball and pasta ready meal for toddlers are among the new products shortlisted for the British Turkey Awards 2015.
An independent panel of judges will taste their way through over 30 different turkey products covering 10 categories, from Best Innovation for both Christmas and All Year Round through to Best Meal Solution products aimed at busy families. Judges also have the task of choosing category winners for Best Ready-To-Eat, Best Foodservice for Profit and Cost Sectors and Best Christmas Convenience.
As expected the largest amount of entries is in the Best Christmas Premium category. Judges will have the unenviable task of whittling these down to a final three on the judging day which is scheduled to take place at Ealing and Hammersmith College in July.
The judging panel comprises Kevin White, Senior Reporter at The Grocer and Aidan Fortune, News Editor at Meat Trades Journal, Lucy Blackwell, food editor of consumer food magazines Bella and Take A Break; Lee Maycock, Vice Chairman Craft Guild of Chefs; Sheila Eggleston, Group Editor of Dewberry Redpoint catering trade titles. Joining them will be consumer, Melita Wheeler, who won her place on the panel after entering a competition on britishturkey.co.uk
Catriona Lee, chair of the British Turkey Federation’s Publicity and Marketing Committee, said: “Once again our industry has excelled in the quality and quantity of entries for our annual industry awards. British turkey farmers and producers are working tirelessly to come up with new delicious and easy-to-cook turkey products that meet the increasing demands of today’s busy consumers. At Christmas, there is something for every taste and budget, from luxury, special breed turkeys, to the traditional whole turkey, and a variety of stuffed and garnished oven-ready joints and crowns.
“Outside of the key Christmas season we are seeing growth in the range of turkey products on offer as consumers increasingly buy in to the taste, health and versatility of turkey meat for all occasions. Whether its fresh turkey steaks, mince, fillets or diced thigh for everyday cooking, low fat breast as a healthy option or convenient ready-prepared alternatives such as turkey sausages for the barbecue and other meals occasions – there are so many choices now for the weekly shop.”
Judging takes place in July and the winners from each category will be announced on 24th September at a special awards dinner at The Dorchester hotel, London.
Judges:
Lucy Blackwell, Bella and Take A Break
Lee Maycock, Craft Guild of Chefs
Sheila Eggleston, Cost Sector Catering
Kevin White, The Grocer
Aidan Fortune, Meat Trades Journal
Melita Wheeler, a consumer
British Turkey Awards Shortlisted Products 2015
1. Best Ready-to-Eat (sponsored by Calor)
Asda Extra Special Butter Roast Turkey Breast
Bernard Matthews Boulders
Aldi Turkey Salad Maxi Roll
2. Best Meal Solution (sponsored by Hybrid Turkeys)
Little Dish Limited Edition Turkey Meatballs with Herby Tomato pasta
Bernard Matthews Go Create Turkey Breast Pieces
Asda Butchers Selection Joint with pork, sage and onion stuffing
3. Best Innovation – All Year Round (sponsored by Minster Vets)
Asda Butchers Selection Sweet Chilli Turkey Sausages
Kelly Turkeys KellyBronze Turkey Shank
Bernard Matthews Go Create Turkey Breast Pieces
4. Best Innovation – Christmas
Asda Butchers Selection Turkey Breast and Thigh joint with Stuffing
Waitrose Free Range Bronze Feathered turkey with Pork, Apple and Chestnut Stuffing butter pats, maple cured bacon and a bouquet garni
Morrisons British Turkey Bombe
5. Best Christmas Convenience (sponsored by Securcom)
M&S Turkey Roulade with Pork, Mushroom and Spinach Stuffed and Smoked Bacon
Tesco Finest Free Range Bronze Turkey Butterfly Joint with Cherry and Mulled Wine Stuffing
Waitrose Turkey Cracker with Chestnut, Bacon and Cranberry & Juniper Stuffing
6. Best Christmas Traditional (sponsored by Easichick)
Morrisons Basted Whole Turkey
Aldi Fresh Whole British Turkey – medium
Asda Butchers Selection Basted Whole Turkey
7. Best Christmas Premium (sponsored by ABN)
English Rose Free Range Bronze Turkey
Copas Very Very Special Free Range Bronze Turkey
Morrisons M Signature British Free range Bronze Whole Turkey
Tesco Finest British Free Range Narragansett Turkey
Kelly Turkeys KellyBronze Whole Turkey
Asda Extra Special Free Range Whole British Corn Fed Bronze Turkey
Aldi Specially Selected Medium Free Range Bronze Turkey
Aldi Specially Selected Free Range Pure Breed Roly Poly Turkey
8. Best Foodservice Cost Sector
Bernard Matthews Frozen Cooked Single Boneless Turkey Breast Lobe
Grove Smith English Rose Turkey Stir Fry
The UK Foodhall Ready to Roast British Turkey Breast 2x1.5kg
9. Best Foodservice Profit Sector
Bernard Matthews Frozen Marinaded Turkey Breast Steaks 330g
Bernard Matthews Frozen Turkey Paupiettes with pork chestnut, sage and onion stuffing
Bernard Matthews Frozen Cooked Boneless Turkey Breast Saddle
10. Foodservice Operator of the Year
Greene King
Mitchells & Butler
Brakes
Whitbread
